The Ninja Baker - #Glutino

3 Back-to-School Bentos, #Glutino

NinjaBaker — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 06:02:08 +0000

Glutino gifted me with free gluten-free products for this post. All opinions are my own.

Autumn is on the horizon. Let the best school lunch box games begin! Are you ready? Glutino kindly sent me kid-friendly gluten-free lunch box items. Inspired, I set out to create 3 Back-to-School Bentos packed with Glutino gluten-free goodness.

Here’s why the Glutino products in the Ninja Baker’s bentos are great eats:
1. The Bread: The Glutino Gluten-Free Multigrain Bread is fluffy and filled with wholesome goodness. The Cinnamon Raisin sings spice and the plump, juicy raisins harmonize sweetly.
2. The Animal Crackers: Both Glutino Animal Crackers are slightly softer than the crisper counterpart. Both versions (original and graham) deliver greater depths of flavor.
3. The Pop Tarts and Breakfast Bars: Soft pastry hugs strawberry and blueberry jams. As a “regular” pop tart fan from way back I thought the lack of frosting might deter from deliciousness. It doesn’t. The uber-sweet frosting was not missed.

In Japan, bento lunch boxes range in presentation (and price!) From the silly to the sophisticated, bento lunch boxes are carried out of the home. Or purchased in depa chika department store basement food halls. (The grand displays definitely rival the aisles of the famed Harrods of London.) Homemade bento boxes – like anything homemade – are filled with love. And an opportunity to have a bit of creative fun…. What kind of bento boxes do you want to pack? Love to hear in the comments section.

Bunny Love Bento

A scrumptious scoop of animal crackers stars in this gluten-free bento lunch. The bento is chock full of veggies, nuts and fruits that a bunny would love. But Bunny Love Bentos are not just for “wabbits.” (Remember the Trix cereal commercial?)

You’ll need:
A Japanese bento box
Bunny rabbit cookie cutters

Ingredients:

Almond butter and a favorite jam
Apple slices
Carrot sticks
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Glutino Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin or Multigrain Bread
Raisins or dried cranberries

Directions:

Slather almond butter and jam on bread. Top with another slice of bread. Firmly but gently press the bunny cookie cutter into the sandwich.

Arrange the bunny sandwiches atop a nest of raisins or dried cranberries.

Fill the rest of the bento box with apple and carrot slices. Generously add a handful of animal crackers.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento

This Gluten-Free Strawberry Pop Tart Sandwich Bento is a twist on a childhood lunch. Cream cheese and jam sandwiches were introduced to me in Tokyo by my stepmother. Apparently it was a ‘50s classic.

Go with red apples for an all red theme. Go for green apples if you prefer a bit of tart to balance sweet pastry.

Ingredients:

Dried cherries or cranberries
Green or red apple slices
Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry or Cinnamon Apple Toaster Pastry (aka Pop Tarts)
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers
Vegan (or dairy) cream cheese
Optional: A small surprise gift for your child

Directions:

Scoop a tablespoon (or more!) of cream cheese between the halves of a Glutino Gluten-Free Strawberry Toaster Pastry. Sprinkle in dried fruit alongside fresh fruit. Add a generous handful of animal crackers. Tuck a surprise trinket into the bento box as an extra treat.

ABC Glutino Snack Pack

My ABC Glutino Snack Pack Bento is one smart way to approach snack time. Your child will give you an A+ for yumminess. (Shhh, don’t tell him/her the treats are actually healthy!)

Ingredients:

Almond Butter
Carrot Sticks
Glutino Apple, Blueberry, Cherry or Strawberry Breakfast Bar
Glutino Gluten-Free Animal Crackers

Directions:

Accompany a scoop of organic almond or peanut butter with carrot sticks. Throw a breakfast bar into the bento box. Plant a kiss on your child. Pat yourself for making smart choices and being a stellar parent!

Wishing you inspired bento boxes sprinkled with Love.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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Japanese American 4th of July Cupcakes, #Glutino #Giveaway

NinjaBaker — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:16:54 +0000

Glutino kindly provided gluten-free products and coupons for this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Celebrating the freedom to enjoy Japanese plum wine infused 4th of July cupcakes!

One of my first jobs in LA upon arrival from Tokyo was a seating hostess at a prestigious Japanese restaurant. I stood at the front with the cashier. My nimble with coins and credit cards colleague was a native Californian. Her parents were born and raised in Japan. As assimilation into America was important, speaking, reading and writing English were encouraged. My cashier friend did pick up snippets of Japanese phrases at home. Her mates and work at school, however, required English. When Japanese customers walked into the restaurant, they’d ask my colleague a question. She’d turn to me and I’d answer. The situation did produce some comical moments.

You will be the star of your 4th of July parties with
the Ninja Baker's Japanese plum wine gluten-free cupcakes!

In Japan, I also played translator to Japanese American friends. They were born in the US and suddenly found themselves in Tokyo. (Almost always due to their fathers’ work.) Perhaps language or political barriers make belonging to two cultures challenging. Ultimately it is a blessing. With our feet in two countries we get to see the world with a wider lens.

Diverse cultures and deliciousness is celebrated in this
gluten-free Japanese American 4th of July cupcake.

Regardless of your background, I am confident that my gluten-free Japanese American Fourth of July Cupcakes will bring happiness to your celebration. Japanese plum wine infuses Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned Yellow Cake. Your favorite vanilla frosting tinted red, white and blue is smothered atop the moist cakes. Whipped cream is a wonderful (gluten-free) option, too. Scroll down...Nab the gluten-free Japanese American Fourth of July Cupcakes recipe and enter for your chances to win free Glutino product!

Gluten-Free Japanese American 4th of July Cupcakes

Japanese plum wine adds a tart element to a moist gluten-free cupcake. Top with your favorite vanilla frosting tinted red, white and blue.

To make this a completely kid-friendly cupcake, substitute tart cherry juice for the Japanese plum wine.

Ingredients:

1 Package Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned Yellow Cake
½ Cup + 1½ Tablespoons Softened Butter
2 Large Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Bean Paste
½ Cup Japanese Plum Wine
Drops of Red Food Coloring

Directions:

Set the oven dial to 350° Slip the cupcake cases into the muffin tins.

In a kitchen stand mixer whip up the butter until fluffy. Sprinkle in the Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned Yellow Cake mix. Drop the eggs, one at a time, into the bowl. Incorporate completely. On low speed, add the vanilla bean paste, Japanese plum wine and red food coloring.

With an ice cream scooper, divide the batter among the cupcake cases. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Frost and decorate with vanilla frosting tinted red, white and blue.

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Wishing you a 4th of July that sparkles with fine food, friends and family.

The Ninja Baker

© ™ Watkinson 2012

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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#Glutino

#Giveaway

#glutenfree

#July4th #JapaneseAmerican #easy #recipe

3 Gluten-Free and Divinely Decadent Cakes, #Glutino #Giveaway

NinjaBaker — Mon, 25 May 2015 22:55:56 +0000

Glutino products and giveaway Glutino coupons were gifted to me for this post. All opinions are my own.

Celebrations call for cakes, right? To celebrate my third Glutino Giveaway, I created 3 Gluten-Free and Divinely Decadent Cakes. The recipes are simple and the results are splendid. While friends admire your cakes, you may even find yourself saying, “It was nothing.” You will be telling the truth! For a minimum of effort, you’ll get maximum dessert excellence.

Warning: Be prepared to assure your friends and family, “Yes! The cakes are really gluten-free!”

A trio of gluten-free cakes:
Gluten-Free Caramel Pretzel Crumble Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Cake
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Chocolate Cake
Gluten-Free Lavender Chocolate and Japanese Green Tea Matcha Layer Cake

Gluten-Free Caramel Pretzel Crumble Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Cake is rich. Stars of the sweets world take the spotlight in this cake: salted caramel pretzels, dark chocolate, almond butter and bananas! All are gluten-free. None are calorie-free. Did an alarm go off in your mind? Vanquish that nagging voice which wards off cake-eating fun. Relax and read on...

Banana cake resplendent with chocolate chips and salted caramel pretzels...all gluten-free!

ABCs to the health benefits of Gluten-Free Caramel Pretzel Crumble Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Cake.

A: Almond butter helps regulate blood sugar and superlative heart health.
B: Bananas are high in B6 and a natural anti-depressant.
C: Chocolate helps alleviate stress and strokes…C is also for caramel pretzels which are used as a crumble atop the cake. Surprisingly, the Salted Caramel Pretzels produced by Glutino are relatively low in sugar.

A treasure trove of gluten-free chocolate chip cake pops hidden
in a luxurious case of gluten-free chocolate cake.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Chocolate Cake is one of those never judge a book by its cover - in this case - cake. When presented, this gluten-free chocolate cake looks to be a luscious classic. Slice into the moist angelic looking devil’s food cake and discover gluten-free chocolate chip polka dotted cake pops. It's impressive and sooo easy! Timesaving, too, when you use Glutino’s Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix and Glutino’s Muffin Mix. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Chocolate Cake is also good for you. (See item C for Chocolate above.)

Gluten-Free Japanese Green Tea Matcha and Lavender Infused Cakes

Gluten-Free Lavender Chocolate and Japanese Green Tea Matcha Layer Cake requires a wee bit more time and assembly. Still, I highly recommend giving the dessert a try! Even my Japanese friends (known to be a bit on the critical side of my sweets), gave stamps of approval. They applauded the wabi-sabi (subtle balance) of sweet and feather-light sponge of the gluten-free matcha and lavender cake.

Gluten-Free Lavender Chocolate and Japanese Green Tea Matcha Layer Cake Bonus Points:

Japanese green tea matcha is the beverage of the samurai. While energizing the body, Japanese matcha also keeps the mind alert and awake to inspirations garnered during meditation.
The potent powers of lavender go as far back as ancient Egypt. Doctors today confirm lavender's ability to combat depression and stress.

Do you really need any more reasons to kick off your shoes and dive into a novel and…a slice of Gluten-Free Lavender Chocolate and Japanese Green Tea Matcha Layer Cake? Or any other of the gluten-free and divinely decadent cakes?

Gluten-Free Caramel Pretzel Crumble Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Cake

Salted caramel pretzels presents the perfect foil for the beautiful balance of moist cake punctuated by banana, almonds and chocolate. Peanut butter is interchangeable with almond butter in this recipe. Almond butter may be a healthier choice. Whichever way you bake up this loaf cake, I do believe your lips will discover one luscious bite of deliciousness!

Inspired by Iron Chef Michael Symon's recipe as featured on ABC TV's The Chew.

Ingredients:

2 cups crushed Glutino Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Pretzels
(almost one bag)
3½ tablespoons almond butter, melted
(for about one minute in the microwave)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon instant Italian Roast or freeze-dried coffee
1 cup Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry All-Purpose Flour
½ cup almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 or 5 super ripe ones)
½ cup stevia and sugar blend OR pure cane sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 whole egg
2 egg whites
½ cup almond butter
¾ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips (½ cup for batter, ½ cup for crumble)

Directions:

Set the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9” x 5” loaf pan with baking spray. Set aside.

Crumble pretzels in a food processor. Add 3½ tablespoons melted almond butter to the gluten-free salted caramel pretzels.

Constantly stir while melting the 6 tablespoons of butter over low heat in a saucepan for about 5 minutes. Take the pan off the stove when a nutty aroma emerges and the butter is golden brown. Whisk in the instant coffee powder. Allow the coffee butter to cool while sifting the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.

In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter with coffee, sugars, egg, egg whites and almond extract. Scraping the bowl often, stir in the flour mixture. Sprinkle in a ½ cup of mini chocolate chips. When well combined, pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Top with the crumbled caramel pretzel and melted almond butter combination. Garnish with the remaining ½ cup of mini chocolate chips.

Bake covered with tin foil for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Gluten-Free Lavender Chocolate and Japanese Green Tea Matcha Layer Cake

Matcha and lavender are famous for elevating moods and fighting stress...Cake has a reputation for bringing on a severe case of smiles. Why not take time to enjoy this gluten-free feather light cake?

Ninja Notes:

Pans designed specifically for creating the layer look helped. The special pans, however, are not necessary. I ended up making two batters and having extra for cupcakes.
This recipe was inspired by the white birthday cake featured on That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

Ingredients:

2 cups of milk (at room temperature)
6 tablespoons matcha green tea powder lavender (3 tablespoons for the cake batter, 3 for the frosting)
6 tablespoons lavender (3 tablespoons for the cake batter, 3 for the frosting)
4½ cups Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry All-Purpose Flour
3½ tablespoons corn starch
3½ cups sugar
8 teaspoons baking powder
1½ teaspoons salt
1½ cups softened butter
12 egg whites (at room temperature)
3 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
24 ounces (2 bags) white chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
Drops of lavender food coloring
2 cups of your favorite vanilla frosting
½ cup of powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:

For the cake batters:

Divide the cups of milk between two separate saucepans. Put 3 tablespoons of matcha in one and 3 tablespoons of lavender into the other pan. Allow tiny bubbles to emerge. Cool to room temperature. Strain the lavender from the lavender milk mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pans with baking spray and muffin tins with cupcake cases.

Measure out 4½ cups Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry All-Purpose Flour. Then take out 8½ tablespoons out of the flour.

In the bowl of a kitchen stand mixer, slowly whisk the flour together with the corn starch. Add the sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat in the butter at a slow speed. Divide the mixture in half and separate into two bowls.

In another bowl, beat together 6 egg whites, matcha milk and 1½ teaspoons of vanilla bean paste. In another bowl, beat together 6 egg whites, lavender milk and 1½ teaspoons of vanilla bean paste

Alternate combining the flour mixtures with the milks.

Pour the batters into the prepared pans. No more than ½ to ¾ full. Use he extra batter for cupcakes. Bake time for an 8” layer is about 30 minutes. Cupcakes require approximately 26 minutes. (Insert a toothpick into the cake centers to make sure no major crumbs are attached. Bake until the toothpick comes out clean.) Cool.

For the lavender white chocolate frosting:

Heat the heavy cream with 3 tablespoons of lavender and drops of lavender food coloring just until bubbles appear. Strain the heavy cream. Pour over the white chocolate chips. Stir vigorously until smooth. Let the lavender chocolate stand untouched for 30 minutes or more. (Up to 3 hours is fine. Although the mixture will harden the longer it stands.) With a hand-held mixer, whip up the lavender white chocolate mixture. Smooth in between the layers of matcha and lavender cake. Or slather atop lavender cupcakes.

For the matcha frosting:

Add 3 tablespoons of matcha green tea powder to cups of your favorite vanilla frosting. Pour in the powdered sugar if you need stiffer frosting for piping stars onto the cake and cupcakes.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dot Chocolate Cake

Gluten-free chocolate polka dots peek out from luscious gluten-free chocolate cake....Sooo easy to make.

P.s. It take a bit more effort to convince your friends and family this is not "real" chocolate cake.

Ingredients:

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dots

Yields 72 mini cake pops

2 eggs, slightly beaten
6 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
1 package Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry Muffin Mix
1¼ cups French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate mini chips
(Dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free chocolate mini chips are available at health food stores and online.)

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

1 package Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix
1 cup Greek yogurt
¾ teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Polka Dots

Whisk together the eggs, butter and vanilla bean paste. Stir in the Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry Muffin Mix and coconut milk creamer. Bake per manufacturers instruction in a cake pop machine or cake pop pans.

Cool. Freeze overnight in a parchment or wax paper lined container.

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Coat a bundt pan with baking spray.

Beat together the Glutino Gluten-Free Pantry Decadent Chocolate Cake Mix, Greek yogurt and vanilla.

Pour half of the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Side-by-side place the frozen chocolate chip polka dots around the pan. Cover with the remaining batter.

Bake for 45 min

3 Easy Gluten-Free On The Go Kid-Friendly Breakfasts, #Glutino#Giveaway

NinjaBaker — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 21:07:26 +0000

Glutino provided product and coupons for this post and giveaway. All opinions are my own. Scroll down for opportunities to win coupons for FREE Glutino products.

Gluten-free bread which will leave you wondering
why you don't always use gluten-free flour!

“Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends.” (Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part I: Act 3, Scene 2, Line 34) Not all of us are strategizing about how to free France from England like Joan of Arc in Henry VI, Part I. But most of us are organizing and multi-tasking children, church/temple, family, friends and work obligations. “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Days of our Lives.” (To quote the modern day maestros of drama.) In other words, we don’t have time to dilly-dally in the kitchen while life is calling us to share precious moments with those we love.

Take a break with the Ninja Baker's gluten-free gem
of a strawberry treasure muffin.

I’ve created 3 Easy Gluten-Free On The Go Kid-Friendly Breakfasts so your schedule can be freed up to cuddle with those close to you. And, yes, to also free up a bit of time for that pampering you’ve been putting off. So, no more excuses. Make the 3 Easy Gluten-Free On The Go Kid-Friendly Breakfasts and skip off guilt-free to the day spa or to that mani-pedi or to the time-out on the couch to watch the Days of our Lives!

Perfect grab 'n go gluten-free almond butter chocolate chip scones.

P.s. If you need convincing that gluten-free is THE healthiest choice you can make, read Dr. Wayne Dyer’s article about avoiding gluten.

Gluten-Free Cranberry Ice Cream Bread

Delicate tones of vanilla, cranberry and almonds hit high notes of deliciousness in this oh-so-hard to believe it’s gluten free bread.

Ninja Note: High quality ingredients such as organic ice cream, sucanat sugar and Glutino Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour do help to produce perfection!

This recipe is adapted from MyRecipes.com.

Ingredients:

1½ cups Glutino Gluten Free Pantry All Purpose Flour
2¼ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 pint organic vanilla bean ice cream, softened
1 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup thinly sliced almonds
2 tablespoons organic sucanat sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover the insides of two 5x3 inch loaf pans with coconut oil spray. Dust with Glutino Gluten Free Flour.

In a tall measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the Glutino Gluten Free Flour, baking powder and salt. In one large bowl stir together the flour mixture and ice cream. Add the cranberries.

Divide the batter between the two 5x3 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle the tops of the loaves with almonds and sucanat sugar.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Ninja Note: For the best results rotate the loaves halfway in the baking process.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Treasure Muffins

Tender crumb muffins with a surprise strawberry jam treasure inside. Friends and family will be happy to grab these gluten free on-the-go breakfast yummies.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons vegan, non-dairy butter, softened
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 package of Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Muffin Mix
1 cup French Vanilla Coconut Milk Creamer
18 teaspoons of strawberry jam

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line muffin tins with 18 cupcake cases. Spray with coconut oil spray so the muffin easily releases from the cupcake case paper.

Whisk together the butter, eggs and vanilla in a bowl. Add the Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Muffin Mix and cup of creamer. Combine well. Fill the cupcake cases with a heaping tablespoon of batter. Drop one teaspoonful of strawberry jam in the middles. Cover with another heaping tablespoonful of batter. Sprinkle with pink sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Gluten-Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Scones

Gluten free almond butter mingles with mini chocolate chips in a grand blast of scone scrumptiousness. Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Muffin Mix is the matchmaker who brings together the simpatico ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 Glutino Gluten Free Pantry Muffin Mix
½ cup frozen butter
¼ cup crunchy almond butter
½ cup French Vanilla almond milk + extra for brushing the tops of the scones
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 egg, slightly beaten
½ cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

With a pastry cutter (or two knives) cut the butter and almond butter into the muffin mix. Once the mixture is coarse and crumbly, add the almond milk, almond extract and egg. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

Create mini scones with a mini ice cream scooper and drop onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Flatten. Brush with almond milk. Freeze for 2 hours or overnight.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to David, Katie and Linda for winning the free Glutino gluten-free product coupons.

Wishing you the good fortune of winning the giveaway on another NinjaBaker.com post (coming soon!)

The Ninja Baker

The Ninja Baker has guest blogged and contributed recipes to numerous food sites. These additional recipes can be found here.

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